Weighted soccer ball for strength training

ABSTRACT

A weighted soccer ball for strength training increases a user&#39;s kicking strength. The user trains with the ball at least five minutes per day with each foot. The ball is provided in different weights and in three different sizes for different age groups.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/005040, filed May 30, 2014, which is hereby incorporated byreference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTINGCOMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to athletic equipment and accessories,and in particular to a weighted soccer ball for strength training. Morethan in most other sports, a single point in soccer can make thedifference between winning and losing. Ball speed is critical for shotson goal as well as passing the ball, since greater ball speed makes iteasier to get the ball past a defender. Players must develop theirkicking strength for greater ball speed. A weighted soccer ball forstrength training, which enables players to develop leg strength, wouldresolve this problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the invention is directed to a weighted soccer ball forstrength training. The ball is intended for use in increasing a user'skicking strength. The user trains with the ball at least five minutesper day with each foot. The ball is provided in different weights and inthree different sizes for different age groups.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth inthe description which follows, and will be apparent from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Theforegoing general description and the following detailed description areexemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide furtherexplanation of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated into and constitutea part of the specification. They illustrate one embodiment of theinvention and, together with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a front view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying theball 10.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the first exemplary embodiment,displaying the ball 10, the particles 11, and the weight 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the invention in more detail, the invention is directedto a weighted soccer ball 10 for strength training. The ball 10 isintended for use in increasing a user's kicking strength. The usertrains with the ball 10 at least five minutes per day with each foot.The ball 10 is provided in different weights and in three differentsizes for different age groups.

The first exemplary embodiment comprises a soccer ball 10 with aspherical weight 12 suspended at the center of the ball by a pluralityof particles 11, which are confined within the interior surface of theball 10. The ball 10 is provided in three standard sizes: size 3 forages of seven years or less, size 4 for ages 8 to 12, and size 5 forages 12 and up. Size 3 contains 0.5 lb and 1 lb weights, size 4 contains1.5 lb and 2 lb weights, and size 5 contains 2.5 lb and 3 lb weights,such that as the user's kick strength improves, the user can graduate tothe next higher weight.

To use the first exemplary embodiment, the user selects a ball 10 of theappropriate size and weight corresponding to the user's age and kickingstrength. The user may practice kicking the ball 10, at least fiveminutes per day with each foot.

The ball 10 is preferably manufactured from a durable, flexible materialwhich is easily cleaned, such as leather lined with a layer of rubber.The particles 11 are preferably manufactured from durable, flexiblematerials, such as polyfiber and rubber. The weight 12 is preferablymanufactured from a semi-rigid, durable material, such as high densityrubber. Components, component sizes, and materials listed above arepreferable, but artisans will recognize that alternate components andmaterials could be selected without altering the scope of the invention.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one ofordinary skill to make and use what is presently considered to be thebest mode thereof, those of ordinary skill in the art will understandand appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, andequivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. Theinvention should, therefore, not be limited by the above describedembodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methodswithin the scope and spirit of the invention.

I claim:
 1. A weighted soccer ball for strength training, comprising: (a) a spherical ball; (b) a spherical weight; (c) said weight being suspended within said ball by a plurality of particles; (d) said particles being fixedly attached to the inside surface of said spherical ball and to the outside surface of said spherical weight.
 2. The weighted soccer ball for strength training of claim 1 wherein said spherical ball is of the standard size having a circumference of 23-24 inches.
 3. The weighted soccer ball for strength training of claim 2 wherein said spherical weight weighs 0.5 pounds.
 4. The weighted soccer ball for strength training of claim 2 wherein said spherical weight weighs 1.0 pound.
 5. The weighted soccer ball for strength training of claim 1 wherein said spherical ball is of the standard size 4 having a circumference of 25-26 inches.
 6. The weighted soccer ball for strength training of claim 5 wherein said spherical weight weighs 1.5 pounds.
 7. The weighted soccer ball for strength training of claim 5 wherein said spherical weight weighs 2.0 pounds.
 8. The weighted soccer ball for strength training of claim 1 wherein said spherical ball is of the standard size 5 having a circumference of 27-28 inches.
 9. The weighted soccer ball for strength training of claim 8 wherein said spherical weight weighs 2.5 pounds.
 10. The weighted soccer ball for strength training of claim 8 wherein said spherical weight weighs 3.0 pounds. 